Bearing.



IsAAc A. GEORGE, or GosHEN, INDIANA.

BEARING.

specification of Letters Patent.

Application ala February 14, 1910. serial No. 543,665.

To all whoml it may concern Be it known that I, I'sAAo A. GEORGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at lro-shen, in the county of 'Elkhart and State of Indiana, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Bearings, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and ex-v act description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to roller bearings and has fo-r its objects the provision of an improved formation of the roller container and the race way structure.- My invention, in its preferred embodiment, includes a cup' and cone, one of these l elements, preferably the cone, constituting the roller container, though I do not .wish to be limited in all embodiments of my invention to a structure in which the race way ele'- ments are of conical formation. v f My invention, in.4 its lpreferred embodiment, is an improvement upon the invention disclosed in my United States Patent No. 796,995, dated August 15, 1905.

My invention may-,be employed inthe construction of thrust bearings, hub bearings,

bearings for line shafting and in the construction `of bearings for other purposes whichneed not be mentioned.

The element of the raceway which con- -stitutes the container is made of a piece of metal with the porti-ons margining its edges overturned to afford annular spaces into which the ends of` the rollers roject. The ends of the rollers within tli spaces are desirably spaced apart by other rollers, which latter rollers are preferably in the form of balls. portion of the structure is desirably formed by drawingvsheet metal, first into the form ofal tube, and then by successive steps into the finished form in which 'the portions margining the edges are overturned for the purpose stated.

In the preferred enbodiment of the invention, the cup, which desirably does not con stitute theroller container, is of conical or tapering formatlon presenting an inner conical or tapering bearing surfaceto the rollers, whose ends extend into the aforesaid annular spaces' with which the container is provided, the inner conical or tapering bearing surface of the cup and the" rollers ese annular `of Flg. 2; and Fig. 4 being The roller container having similar 'inclinations so that said rollers have extended bearing engagement longitudinally thereof with the inner bear- 1ng` surface of the cup. The outer surface .of the cup transverse to the edgel portions of the cup is desirably parallel to the inner surface of the cup, and the housing or. support for the cup is provided with. a supporting surface or seat that is inclined similarly to the outersurface of the cup and de-y sirably projects in both directions beyond the outer surface of the cup when the cup is Patented Mar. 31, 1914.

in position, this arrangement permitting the cup automatically to center itself within itsv zseat and with respect to the axis of the rotating element, such as a shaft or journal,

that finds support upon the cup seat through the intermediation of my improved bearing comprislngthe. cup, the rollers, and the rolle-r container. I do not wish to be limited, however, in all embodiments of my invention, to a construction in which the cup.

is provided with a cup seat, as the roller container which I have devised may be of service irrespective of the construction of the balance of the bearing.

I will explain the above features of my `invention more fully by reference to, the accompanying drawings showing' two different preferred embodiments of` my invention, and 4in which other features of the invention are illustrated, Figure 1 being a longitudinal section of a structure embodying the invention; Fig. 2 being an enlar ed detail of part of the structure shown in ig. 1; Fig. 3 being av sectional -view on line 3 3 a view illustrating another form of the 1nvention.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters o reference throughout the different gures.

Referring first to the formof the-invention shown -in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 inclusive, I'have thereillustrated bearings in supporting relatioig'with one end of a shaft a, suchl being non-rotatable, the hub portion of thewheel including flanges b c between which the spokes d of the wheel are inserted. The

llangeb isintegrally formed with atubular housing e, thellange c having a continuation cf 'extending longitudinally of and being.l

slipped upon the outer end of the tubular roller containers z housing c and being secured in position by means of bolts o2. The inner end of the tubular housing e is provided with an interior thread to afford lodgment for the dust cap f which holds a felt packing f that is in contact with the shaft a to prevent dustI from entering the housing e along the shaft it. The other end of the housing e is sealed by a cap e. The shaft a, in the embodiment of the invention being described, has a pair of conical or tapering` seats g 71 the conical ortapering seat g being integrally formed with the shaft, ivhile the other seat L is separately formed and is in the shape of a split sleeve, so that it may have spring engagement with the shaft. The seat surfaces of the portions g and z, taper toward y'each other and slope similarly to the inner conical or tapering surfaces of the bearing if that retain the rollers Z m respectively, these rollers of each of the i sets Z and m tapering toward the rollers. of

thc'other set. The portions i k margining the edges of the containers z' and k are curled or overturned so as to overlie the portions of these containers that intervene between these marginal portions to constitute annular spaces or pockets surrounding the shaft a and receiving the extended portions of the rollers Z and fm, which are spaced apart by krollers a, which latter rollers are preferably in the form of balls that engage reduced extensions of the rollers 'Z and m as set forth in my aforesaid patent. The roller containers. together With the rollers they contain, thus constitute self contained unitsof the bearings, said containers constituting raceivay Wall port-ions, the raceway structure being completed by additional raeeivay walls o that are desir-ably separately formed from the housing e, though I do not wish to be limited to this characteristic. lhen the raceway Walls o are separately formed from the housing e, the cups are, in the present form of the invention being described, in the shape of conical rings, desirably of uniform thickness'so that the outer and inner surfaces thereof that are transverse to the edges thereof are parallel, these surfaces so slopingthat the inner surfaces will engage the rollers Z and m and the outer surfaces will be received by conical or tapering seats p that taper similarly to the outer surfaces of the rings o and toward each other. The Walls of ,the racevvay structure are free to rotate upon their seats, this characteristic being of particular importance m connection with the inner raceway wall that rides upon the shaft. This structural characteristic is not to be limited to conical bearing struetares. 'The conical or tapering surjt'aees at (1 and 7), in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, slope' toward each other. as do the conical or tapering surfaces at le, and p. Means are provided for effecting relative adjustmentbetvveen the two bearings at g and hso as to maintain the housing e coaxial. with the shaft a, this adjustment, in the embodiment of the invention being described, being effected by turning the nut 'g on a threaded portion of the shaft a so as to lar h longitudinally of the shaft'for the purpose stated. The dust guardf not only desirably engages the shaft @but also engages the contiguousmarginal portion gv of the roller container g so as to obstruct what would otherwise be a passage between the shaft and the contiguous-pocket at g for dust., water, or other foreignv matter Whose Way is forced along the shaft. a past the dust guard.

As I have thus far specifically described one of many embodiments of my invention, I have disclosed the outer end of a nonrotating shaft upon which is supported a rotating body, such 'as a vehicle Wheel,

l throughl the intermediation vof my improved bearing, but it is to be understood that I do not limit the locati-on of' my improved lbearing to the outer end of the shaft, nor

force the split sleeve or col# l do I limit the use of my'invention toi-the support of a rotating body upon a nonrotating shaft.

I have not deemed it necessary to show obvious alternative arrangements, as various adaptations of the bearing of my invention. may readily be made to suit different conditions.

As I .have thus far specifically .described my invention, Ihave set forth a construction possessing many advantages. Each raceway wall is substantially of uniform' thickness with the exception of the overturned edge portions of the raceway Walls z' le that are slightly modified in thickness owing to the overturning or curling of the steel of which they are made. making the raceway Walls of uniform thickness, they take heat treatment uniformly in hardenlng. When the raceway are immersed with the larger ends first. Another important advantage gained by the construction of my invention isl -the automatic centering of each raceway Wall upon its seat, theraceway vWalls i and c automaticall)7 centeringl themselves .upon the vseats at r/ and It respectively, while the raceway walls o automatically center themselves upon their seats p, no careful manipulation being required in assembling the parts, and no close dimensions having to be rovided for in the seats for the raceway wal s, thereby greatly simplifying the construction and reducing cost. In addition to the advantages` which have been above outlinedLt-here is also the il'np'ortant advantage that, 1n the event Walls are being hardened, they of the clogging or locking of the rollers, a

bearing is afforded between the rotating' and non-rotating elements through the intermediation of the raceway walls, making a temporary plain bearing that will prevent the rotating and non-rotating parts e and a from being locked together when the rollers of the bearing are locked, the arrangement being preferably such thatin the normal operation of the bearing, the raceway walls are vadapted bothto creep slightly so as to distribute the wear evenly thereupon, either racetvay wall turning on its seatin the'event of the lookin ofthe complemental parts, the rollers orgballs traveling in their paths with respect to the plain bearing for the raceway wall, said raceway wall being 1nterposed between the rollers and the seat upon which said raceway wall may move: Thel raceway walls are normally free to move with respect to their seats whereby they' may turn with respect to their seats without reorganization of the structure in the event of the rollers becomingA locked.

In assembling the rollers within their'containers z' and lc the tapered rollers Z and m and their separating balls' are' inserted in their vrelative order, two balls being last inserted in the annular pockets, thereby making a complete self-contained unit of the bearing. -A inv the edge of each overturnedpart z" k to permit of the reception of the balls in-the annular pockets. The balls and rollers not only rotate individually about their axes, but are' also adapted to travel construction an The pocket portions bodily while rotating.

andk afford suiiofthe raceway walls g .cientv space to enable the balls properly to rotate and travel therein,` and the edge portions of the overturned `parts of the container z' and4 also` the container c'project sufficiently towardA the axis to fornr hooks' over'the balls, .these hooks being out away at r, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, to permit the balls to be received behind the hooks. The ball containing pockets -are provided with flattened surfaces s, atright angles to the axes'of the tapered rollers for engaging the balls on end thrust ofthe `tapered rollers., and also with flattened surfaces-atie parallel with the opposite face of the raceway wall i or lc, clearance existin at s2 between lthe balls and .the pocket w51 and between the surfaces s s to a'ord receiving 'space' for foreign particles that might creep 1n.

In Fig. 4, I have shown a. thrust or step bearing having arts possessingy features of 'functions similar to the parts of the bearing shown 1n Ifigs. 1, 2 and 3, and similar parts are given similar *characters of reference. I do not deem it necessary` to describe this bearing in detail.

While I ha've herein shown and particularly described the preferred'embodiment of invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shown, as changes may readily be made without deniche 'r is provided parting from the spirit of the invention, ,bui-'a I Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following z*- 1. In a bearing, the combination of a raceway structure comprising inner and outer members wlth rollers therebetween, and an' element presenting a conical seat for one of said members ofthe raceway structure and with respect to whlch sald member 1s freely rotatable to prevent locking of the bearing.

2. In a bearing, the combination of a raceway structure comprising inner. and outer members with rollers therebetween, and inner and outer elements having plain conical seats for-said raceway members and with reference to' which the respective members are freely rotatable. v

3. In a bearing, the combination of a raceway structure comprising inner and outer members with taperin rollerstherebetween, and inner and `outer e ements having tapering seats for the respective members of the raceway structure and with respect to which said members are freely rotatable to prevent locking of the bearing. v

4; In a bearin the combination of a raccway structure' comprising inner and outer members with tapering rollers therebetween, and inner and outer elements havin tapering seats for the adjacent faces of t e racel way structure members and withres ct toy le re- Which said members are freely rotata spectively.

5. In a bearing,`the combination of a raceway structure comprising inner and outer members with rollers therebetween, elements having tapering conical seats for-. saidmembers respectively and with reference to which said. members are free to turn, and means vto 'adjust the raceway structure axially with -respect to said elements. 6.- In a bearing, the combination of race- `way structures each embodying rollers, an element' having conical `seats for the respective raceway structures land with reference (to which said structures are ,free to turn, and a single means to adjust said racewaystructures axially with respectI to their seats.

7. In a bearing, the combination of a raceway structure comprising inner and outer members with rollers therebetween, and a shaft having a tapering conical seat for the inner member of saidraceway structure, said member being free to turn with respect to ways.

is of substantially uniform thickness, the

t-hickness and curved onsubstantially the are .ment comprising a conical metal sleevel hav- ,ingfintegral curled edges to receive and retain anti-friction members, and an outer y overlie the body of the raceway, anti-friction ed to receive and retain anti-friction meml bers, comprising a metal sleeve of conical shape having its main wall portion of substantially uniform thickness and provided i at its edges with integral curled portions to i confine coperat-ing anti-friction members.

10. Ina bearing, a raceway element adapti ed t'o receive and retain anti-friction menibers, comprising a conical metal sleeve havv ing a smooth main wall .portion of substani tially uniform thickness and integral periphi eral edge flanges having a cross'sectional contour of substantially-the arc of a circle partially overlying the main Wall portion to i confine coperatinganti-friction members. i

11. In a bearing, a raceway element for anti-friction members comprising a tapering metal sleeve, the main wall portion of which edge portions of said wall being of reduced of av circle to form flanges to retain coperating anti-friction members. v 12. In a bearing, an inner raceway elerac'eway member comprising a freely movable ring of uniform thickness, and antifriction'members retained by 'the inner racel way and cooperating with both of said race- 13. In a bearing, the 'combination of an inner racen-'ay comprising a tapering metal sleeve of substantially uniform thickness having its edge portions curled to partially rollers carried by said inner raceway and] confined at theiiends by said curled flanges, g and a tapering ring,`the inner surface ofi which seats on said rollers.

14. In a bearing. the combination of an inner raceway comprising a tapering metal sleeve of substantially uniform thickness having itsjedge portions curled to partially overlie the'body of the raceway, anti-friction rollers carried by said inner raceway and A confined at their ends by said curled flanges,

and a"v tapering ring, the inner surface of f which seats on said rollers, said'ring being of uniform thickness throughout.

15. In a bearing, an inner raceway comprising a tapering metal container provided with integral curled edges and a smooth bearing surface of substantially uniform thickness between said edges, anti-friction balls confined within saidV curled edges, anti-friction rollers engaging the outer surfaceof said retainer. and having their ends disposed between the balls confined by said edges, and a tapering ring seating on said rollers.

16. In a bearing, a raceway element adapt-` ed to receive and retain anti-friction members comprising a tapering metal sleeve of substantially uniform thickness having in- 4tegral curled edges to retain the anti-friction members.

17. A bearing including vinner and outer. 'raceway members whose inner and outer surfaces taper in thesame general direction.'

rollers interposed between said members. and tapering vseats for the raceway members, one engaging the outer surface of the outer race- Way member and the other engaging the inner surface of the inner raceway member,"

the inner member having integral curled edges to retain the rollers.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my naine this 7th da)y of February A. D.,

" ISAAC A. GEORGE.

Witnesses: y

L. BURiz WHIPPEY, RAY DEAHL. 

